Knockdown table structure



Ud- 17, 1957 FL H. HOLZ ETAL KNOCKDOWN TABLE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 1, 1966 Z Y m e OOKK N h z 5 T R N O m EHwL T e V B T m Waco S 9- E DLB Oct. 17, 1967 r HOLZ I ETAL' 3,347,509

KNOCKDOWN' TABLE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS FREDERICK H.HOLZ WILLIAM C. LUTZKE ROBERT O. BLINKv 'ATTORN-VEYS' United States Patent Office 3,347,509 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 3,347,509 KNOCKDOWN TABLE STRUCTURE Frederick H. Holz, William C. Lutzke, and Robert 0.

Blink, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Mitchell Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Aug. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 569,498 2 Claims. (Cl. 248188.7)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A knock-down table and leg assembly which permits a table to be shipped or stored in a compact, disassembled condition for maximum economy and convenience, and which table can be quickly and easily assembled when desired. Said leg assembly includes a plurality of identical and interchangeable L-shaped leg elements which can be secured together in a variety of desired arrangements to provide supporting pedestals of various styles which are modern and attractive in appearance, as well as being strong and dependable.

This invention relates to improvements in tables, and more particularly to a new and improved leg assembly for tables.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel table leg assembly which permits a table to be shipped or stored in a compact, disassembled condition, and wherein the leg members can be quickly and easily assembled when desired.

A further important object is to provide a novel table leg assembly which is modern and attractive in appearance, as well as dependable and durable in construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel table leg assembly wherein various design combinations can be easily obtained with the same basic leg elements.

Still further objects of the present invention are to provide a table leg assembly which is light in weight for economical shipment, which is relatively inexpensive in construction, and which is otherwise particularly well adapted for its intended purposes.

With the above and other objects in view, which other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter, the invention comprises the improved table leg assembly described in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings, and also any and all variations or modifications thereof as may come within the spirit of said invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein several embodiments of the invention are illustrated, and wherein the same reference numerals designate the same or similar parts in all of the views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table featuring the new and improved leg assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing the means employed for connecting the individual leg elements;

FIG. 3 is a side elev-ational view of one of the individual leg sections;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the novel leg connector device featured in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through said connector device, taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a table having another leg design within the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modified leg design; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the modified connector device utilized in the leg unit illustrated in FIG. 7'.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a table having a top 10 and a leg assembly including three adjacent leg elements 11, 12, and 13. As will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of said leg elements includes a horizontal arm 14 which is adapted to be secured to the underside of the table top, an elongated vertical shaft 16, and a horizontal base member 17, the lower end of the vertical shaft 16 abutting against the top surface of said hollow base member. Said base member 17 extends outwardly in alignment below the upper arm 14, and the base members of the three adjacent leg elements 11, 12, and 13 diverge radially outwardly in equi-spaced relationship in the illustrated unit. The upper arm portions 14 of said leg elements are preferably formed of square or rectangular tubing, and the vertical shafts 16 and base members 17 are formed of hollow rectangular tubing, said members being welded together to provide a strong, rigid support. Attractive combination end caps and feet 18 are mounted on the outer ends of the base members 17.

Although steel tubing is preferred because of its strength and attractive appearance, various metals or other materials could be utilized in the fabrication of the leg elements 11-13, and the invention is not to be limited in this respect. Moreover, while a circular table top 10 is shown in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the shape and size of said top can be varied as desired, depending upon the style and intended use of the particular table.

One of the novel features characterizing the present invention is the means employed for connecting the individual leg elements 11, 12, and 13 together to form a unitary pedestal. In this respect, and with reference now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a connector device 19 having three short, outwardly-radiating bosses or arms 21, 22, and 23 is adapted to join the lower ends of said leg elements together, the angle between said connector arms being the same as the desired angular relationship of the pedestal base members 17. Said connector arms 21-23 are rectangular in cross-section, .and each is designed to project into and fit closely within the open inner end of one of said hollow base members 17, there being bolts 24 directed upwardly through holes 26 in said base members and projected into aligned openings in the underside of said connector arms to retain said base members 17 in position on said connector, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The horizontal upper portions 14 of the leg elements 11-13 in the illustrated form of the invention are provided with welded brackets 20 having apertures 25 therethrough, and to secure the table top to the pedestal it is merely necessary to insert bolts therethrough and into receiving openings provided therefor in the underside of said table top. Other mounting means could also be employed and a device similar to the connector 19 can be used to join the upper ends of the legs 11-13, but is not ordinarily required.

As best appears in FIGS. 4 and 5, the novel connector device 19 featured in the present invention is cast with shoulders 27 at the inner ends of the arms 21-23 against which the ends of the tubular base members 17 abut when said base members are positioned thereon, thereby aligning the bolt-receiving holes 26 in said leg members with the bolt-receiving bores 28 in said connector device. The upper portions of the connector arms 21-23 are preferably hollow, as shown, and intermediate the height of each of said arms there is formed a slotted horizontal opening 29 (FIG. 5) which communicates with the bolt-receiving bore 28 formed in the underside of said arm. In accordance with the present invention there is wedgingly retained in each of said connector arm slots 29 a Tinnerman-type retainer or nut 31 into which the aforementioned bolts 24 may be threaded to secure the leg members 17 in position on the connector device. While it is preferred to cast said connector device 19 in the present invention out of aluminum, other materials could also be used.

As hereinabove mentioned, one of the principal features of the novel leg assembly comprising the present invention is that the table can be economically and conveniently transported or stored in a knocked-down condition with the identical, relatively fiat leg elements 11-13 compactly packaged, and the table can be quickly and easily assembled when desired. In this respect, it is merely necessary to mount the leg base members 17 on the connector device 19 and secure said base members thereon by means of bolts 24, and the table top can then be installed on said assembled pedestal, as described. The result is a novel table leg assembly which not only permits economical shipment or storage of the table, but which forms. a unique and attractive table support when assembled.

With reference now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a modified table leg assembly coming within the scope of the present invention. In this form of the invention in lieu of the single,three-legged pedestal shown in FIG. 1, the leg assembly includes a pair of joined-together leg elements 32 and 33 having diverging base portions 17 which are connected to a spaced pairof similarly-arrangedleg elements 34, 36 by means of a tubular connecting strut 37. To obtain this novel leg configuration a three-arm connector device similar to the connector 19 shown in FIGS. 2-5 is utilized to join the leg elements 32, 33, and the strut 37 is mounted on the third arm projecting from said connector device. Another connector 19 is used to joint the leg elements 34, 36,.

and the opposite end of the strut 37 is secured on the third arm ofsa-id connector, thus providing a novel, interconnected dual-leg unit which is both attractive and functional.

The individual leg elements 32-36 employed in the leg design ilustrated in FIG. 6 are identical to those utilized in the .assembly of FIG. 1, and the only additional member required is the bottom connecting strut 37. The upper ends of said leg units may be secured to the underside of the table top in the manner hereinabove described.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated therein still another modified form of leg assembly coming within the intended scope of the present inven tion. In this form the leg assembly includes a single unitary pedestal formed of four joined-together individual leg elements 38, '39, 41, and 42 having right-angularly spaced, radiating base members 17.

In the assembly of this leg until a connector device 43 having four radiating arms or bosses is employed, in lieu of the three-arm connector 19' utilized in the leg assemblies hereinbefore described. As is shownin FIG. 8, said connector device 43 includes right-angularly spaced arms 44, 45-, 46, and 47, there being shoulders 48 at the inner ends of said arms against which the leg base members 17 abut when they are mounted on said connector, and said connector arms are provided with bores 49 and retainers 51 into which bolts or the like may be inserted to secure said base members in position on the connector.

The leg elements 38, 39, 41, and 42 utilized in the table shown in FIG. 8- are identical to those used in the forms of the invention hereinabove described, and may also be suitably secured to the underside of the table top 4 10. The result is a novel and attractive pedestal-type table support characterized by four equi-spaced, radiating base members.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be seen i that the present invention provides a new and improved leg assembly for tables having, severalimportant advan:

tages over conventional. table leg structures. With the,

present invention the table may be economically and conveniently shipped or stored in a compact, knocked-down condition, and it can be quickly and easily assembled when desired. Said novel table leg assembly is also light weight, it is relatively inexpensive in construction, and it is strong and dependable. Moreover, the clean, straight line design of said leg units'is modern and attractive in appearance, and various design combinations and configu-L rations can be obtained with the same. basic leg elements.-

It is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited or confined to the structureshereinabove described and illustrated. Obviously, numerous variations in the shapes, relative sizes, and leg configurations disclosed herein are possible. Moreover, the design and form of the various functional components such as the connectors 19,

43 and retainers 31, 51 are not to be limited to the exact forms illustrate-d. In short, it is intended to include herein not only the illustrated embodiments of the present invention but also any and all variations or modifications thereof as may come within the spirit of said invention,

and within the scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:

1. A table structure, comprising: a plurality of leg elements formed of tubular metal stock of rectangular cross section, each of said leg elements being provided with an elongated vertical member, having a top anda bottom,

and a horizontal base member abutting against and projecting outwardly from. the lower end of said vertical member, said base member having an openinner end and there being a bolt-receiving aperture in the lower surface of said tubular base member adjacent said inner end; a connector device having a plurality of. radiating horizontal arms, each of said connector arms projecting tele- .scopically into the inner end of one of said leg tubular base members,and there being upwardly-extending tapped. bores in the lower surfaces of said connector arms; shoulder means formed on said connector device against which the inner ends of said tubularbase members abut to align said base member apertures and connector arm bores; bolts projected upwardly through said aligned base apertures and connector arm bores to securesaid base members in position on said connector device and to join said leg elements together to forma pedestal; and means for securing a table top to the top of said pedestal.

'2. The table structure recited in claim 1 wherein said leg elements are arranged in spaced groups of two or more leg elements joined together by said connector devices; and strut means interconnecting said spaced leg element groups.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,021,159 2/1962 Back 28754 3,033,598 5/1962 Polgar 28754 3,164,347 1/1965 McMasters 108150,X 3,207,462 9/1965 Zimmerman 248188.7 X 3,236,485 2/1966 Staples 248-l88.7 X 3,273,842 9/1966 McMahon 248--188.7

MES C L. r m ry Exam n r.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 3,347,509 Patented October 17, 1967 Frederick H. Holz, William C. Lutzke and Robert O. Blink Application having been made by Ijrederick H. Holz, William C. Lutzke, and Robert O. Blink, the inventors named 1n the patent above identified, and Mitchell Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of \Visconsin, the assi ee, for the issuance of a certificate under the provislons of Title 35, Section 256, ofihe United States Code, adding the name of Robert W. Sohier as a joint inventor, and a showing and proof of facts satisfgmg the requirements of the said section having been submitted, it is this 1st day of eptember 1970, certified that the name of the said Robert W. Sohier is hereby added to the said patent as a joint inventor with the said Frederick H. Holz, William C. Lutzke, and Robert O. Blink.

FRED W. SHERLING Associate Solicitor, 

1. A TABLE STRUCTURE, COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF LEG ELEMENTS FORMED OF TUBULAR METAL STOCK OF RECTANGULAR CROSS SECTION, EACH OF SAID LEG ELEMENTS BEING PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED VERTICAL MEMBER HAVING A TOP AND A BOTTOM, AND A HORIZONTAL BASE MEMBER ABUTTING AGAINST AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE LOWER END OF SAID VERTICAL MEMBER, SAID BASE MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN INNER END AND THERE BEING A BOLT-RECEIVINE APERTURE IN THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID TUBULAR BASE MEMBER ADJACENT SAID INNER END; A CONNECTOR DEVICE HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIATING HORIZONTAL ARMS, EACH OF SAID CONNECTOR ARMS PROJECTING TELESCOPICALLY INTO THE INNER END OF ONE OF SAID LEG TUBULAR BASE MEMBERS, AND THERE BEING UPWARDLY-EXTENDING TAPPED BORES IN THE LOWER SURFACES OF SAID CONNECTOR ARMS; SHOULDER MEANS FORMED ON SAID CONNECTOR DEVICE AGAINST WHICH THE INNER ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR BASE MEMBERS ABUT TO ALIGN SAID BASE MEMBER APERTURES AND CONNECTOR ARM BORES; BOLTS PROJECTED UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID ALIGNED BASE APERTURES AND CONNECTOR ARM BORES TO SECURE SAID BASE MEMBERS IN POSITION ON SAID CONNECTOR DEVICE AND TO JOIN SAID LEG ELEMENTS TOGETHER TO FORM A PEDESTAL; AND MEANS FOR SECURING A TABLE TO THE TOP OF SAID PEDESTAL. 